Cobb County (GA) Team Previews Part 3
Pebblebrook (Mableton, GA)
Last Season Record: 22-8
No Ty Hudson, No Jared Harper, or No Collin Sexton for the Pebblebrook Falcons. So what does that mean? New leadership will be running this Pebblebrook team this year. Seniors SG DJ Murray and WG Mervin James will lead this year’s Pebblebrook squad. Murray and James know the Pebblebrook system better than anyone, having been on the varsity squad since their sophomore season, in which the Falcons made it all the way to the state finals but lost to their rival Westlake. With the lost of Sexton, (Alabama University), elite scorer Elias Harden (Xavier University), 2018 PG Drue Drinnon (University School, FL), and 2019 F Jared Jones (McEachern HS) there is a buzz going around that Pebblebrook will not be elite as in the past. I disagree, Coach Washington has had the Pebblebrook program on the rise the last few years and as long as he is coaching I can never count the Falcons out. Pebblebrook is 72-24 in the last 3 years. Pebblebrook captured their first region title last season since the 2014-2015 season. Pebblebrook’s fast tempo style of play has had great success. Coach Washington has always played some of the top programs in the country, such as: DeMatha (MD), Paul IV (VA), IMG Academy (FL), Mater Dei (CA), Prestonwood Christian (TX), Sierra Canyon (CA), Blanche Ely (FL), Bishop O’Dowd (CA), Memphis East (TN), Brentwood Academy (TN), Hudson Catholic (NJ), and Montverde Academy (FL) and let us not forget the Georgia powerhouses. This season will not be any different for this squad. 2018 SGs Josh Graham (Whitewater HS) and Grant Howard (Alexander HS) will be two key pieces this season. Also role players 2019 PG Jalen Harper, 2019 F D’Antonio Deloach and former Marietta High School 2018 PG Kahlil Hawkins.
Marietta (Marietta, GA)
Last Season Record: 14-14
The Blue Devils of Marietta High School went 14-14 last seasons as you can see. Senior PG Kahlil Hawkins has moved on and transferred to Pebblebrook High School. Last season Hawkins, junior WG Fionn Brown, and senior CG Kharon Cameron were the big three of the Blue Devils squad. With Cameron graduating and Hawkins transferring, this season’s squad leader will be no other then Fionn Brown. Brown made the all region team last year and it will not be a surprise if he makes it again. Brown has the potential to be region player of the year. It will be a tough task due to the fact Marietta is in the same region as Kennesaw Mountain and powerhouse McEachern. Marietta is predicted to make the state playoffs again as they did last season. The Blue Devils were eliminated early last season to the class 7A state champions Tift County. The Blue Devils open their season at home against Lassiter High School on November 14th 2017.
Sprayberry (Marietta, GA)
Last Season Record: 11-15
Sprayberry High School is home of the Yellow Jackets. The Yellow Jackets had a great start last season going 9-5. Once the New Year begun the Jackets got into a slump finishing the season 2-10. Last season’s team was led by two elite senior point guards in Rodney Pearson and Eddie Figueroa. The surprising thing is, this season’s squad can be a big sleeper for the most part. The Yellow Jackets return senior F Khadim Samb and C Andrew Giles. Samb had a great summer running with Game Elite and has committed to the University of Idaho. Samb can be the favorite to win region player of the year in region 6 in class 6A. Samb has become an elite scorer and it will definitely be needed this season for Sprayberry. CG Saigon Kitts, a rising sophomore, CG Jordan Lonon, a rising senior, and Pebblebrook transfer, CG Matthew Jenkins, a rising junior, will be key contributors to this seasons team.
North Cobb (Acworth, GA)
Last Season Record: 3-22
The North Cobb Warriors had the worst record in not just in Cobb County, but also one of the worst records in the state of Georgia. But that is the past and the Warriors are looking to bounce back in the 2017-2018 season. The Warriors return most their roster from last season, including senior PG Nayari Dampier. Dampier is 5’10 PG who can facilitate in the lane and also put the ball in the basket. Nayari is a top shooter in the county. Dampier has Stephen Curry type range and is very efficient on the offensive side of the ball. There is no doubt that Nayari will be the leader of this squad this year. After being injured most of the season last year, Dampier is ready to bounce back and is expected to have a big senior season. Junior F Kevin Hester will also play big role this season for the Warriors. Hester is a great rebounder and can finish around the basket. Sophomore PG Freddy Woods, junior CG Shota Suzuki, and senior SG Corey Davis will also play major roles this season for North Cobb. North Cobb opens their season with an exhibition game against Creekview High School on Tuesday November 14th 2017.